Three officers injured in ambush shooting in Lorain, Ohio
- At approximately 1 p.m. on July 24, 2025, three Lorain police officers were ambushed while on patrol, leading to two officers sustaining critical injuries.
- The ambush was initiated by a lone suspect armed with a high-powered rifle who opened fire on the officers while they were parked at a dead end.
- The incident highlights the dangers law enforcement officers face, prompting an outpouring of support from local officials and the community.
In Lorain, Ohio, three police officers were shot in an ambush while performing routine patrol duties on Wednesday, July 24, 2025. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. when the officers were positioned at a dead end on Missouri Avenue, having recently picked up pizza for their lunch. A suspect, identified as a 28-year-old man, was also at the scene waiting for the officers. This sudden attack involved high-powered rifle fire directed at the officers, leading to a quick and dangerous exchange of gunfire between the law enforcement personnel and the assailant. Two of the injured officers, Phillip Wagner and Brent Payne, received multiple gunshot wounds and were in critical condition as they were airlifted to MetroHealth in Cleveland. The third officer, Peter Gale, was wounded in the hand and taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment. After the ambush, additional police units responded promptly, transporting the injured officers to hospitals due to the urgency of their conditions. The suspect was ultimately shot and killed during the confrontation, although it remains unclear whether the fatal injury was sustained from police fire or was self-inflicted as some reports suggest. Authorities later determined that the gunman acted alone, dispelling earlier fears of a second suspect being at large. The Elyria Police Department is leading the investigation, supported by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as they seek to uncover the motive behind this violent act. Concern arose from the attack being labeled as a targeted ambush against law enforcement, shaking the local community and prompting expressions of support for the officers and their families. In light of the incident, Lorain officials emphasized the emotional toll on the police department and the broader law enforcement community. Counseling services will be offered to help officers process the psychological effects of this assault. Ohio's Governor Mike DeWine expressed his gratitude to law enforcement officers and reminded the public of the risks they face while working to maintain safety in the communities they serve. State officials, including Senator Jon Husted, have voiced condemnation of the violence and extend their sympathies to the injured officers and their families, calling for unity against such acts of aggression.